6 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2018 letter from the publisher T hese are exciting times to be in the jewelry industry. Retailers and manufacturers across the spectrum are reporting strong hol- iday and start-of-year sales. The recent trade shows in Florida, Arizona and New York were all busy and active. The industry seems to be cautiously embracing optimism and an attitude that growth rather than contraction is a possibility. Possibility is a word that comes to mind often as we look at the 2018 inductees of the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame: Dror and Helene Zadok, Cathy Tivol and Pam Mortensen. The possibility of running from a war, coming to a new country and building a success- ful jewelry business from the ground up. The possibility of success- fully continuing and adding to a legacy while enduring hardships and navigating change. The possibility of doing not what is expected of you by society but what inspires you and makes those around you better. Our three inductees made these possibilities a reality. Their stories are moving. Reading about them serves as a lesson in the importance of family, education, hard work, passion, and a genuine love for jewelry and how it affects people. We have so many amazing people in this industry and it is important to honor those who are examples of what can be accomplished if you stick to your core values. My hope is that those just starting out in our business will read the stories in this issue and see the possibilities not just for the industry but for their own personal success. Matthew Tratner PUBLISHER Matthew Tratner mtratner@nationaljeweler.com | 646-658-5805 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Graff michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com | 212-687-2758 EDITORIAL Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com | 212-687-2763 Associate Editor Ashley Davis ashley.davis@nationaljeweler.com | 646-658-5802 CONTRIBUTORS Editorial Cathleen McCarthy Copy Editor Peggy Jo Donahue Design and Layout Weswen Design MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Director of Marketing & Communications Molly Fallon | mfallon@jewelers.org Assoc. Dir. of Communications & Digital Development Lauren Thompson | lthompson@jewelers.org SALES India Representative Bhupal Potdar | bhupalpotdar@gmail.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ryan Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelers Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelers Bill Farmer, Jr., Farmer’s Jewelry Karen Goracke, Borsheims Larry Pelzel, Neiman Marcus Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers PRESIDENT & CEO David J. Bonaparte BOARD OF DIRECTORS 120 Broadway, Suite 2820 | New York, NY 10271 | www.nationaljeweler.com John Henne, Chairman, Henne Jewelers Holly Wesche, Chair-Elect, Wesche Jewelers Cathy Tivol, Vice Chair, TIVOL Robert F. Moeller II, Treasurer, R.F. Moeller Jeweler Coleman Clark, Secretary, B.C. Clark Jewelers Ryan Berg, Past Board Chair, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Mercedes Abramo, Cartier North America Mike Alexander, Jewelers Mutual Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelers Jenny Caro, Jewelry By Designs Ronda Daily, Bremer Jewelry Peter Engel, Fred Meyer Jewelers Karen Goracke, Borsheims Elise Greenberg, Greenberg’s Jewelers Efraim Grinberg, Movado Group, Inc. Simon Katz, Simons Jewelers Chuck Kuba, Iowa Diamond Joseph Molfese, Bella Cosa Jewelers Steve Padis, Padis Jewelers Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers Lane Schiffman, Schiffman’s Steve Velasquez, Madison Jewelers Betsy Wolgemuth, Koser Jewelers “THE INDUSTRY SEEMS TO BE CAUTIOUSLY EMBRACING OPTIMISM AND AN ATTITUDE THAT GROWTH RATHER THAN CONTRACTION IS A POSSIBILITY.”